FORT PIERCE, Fla.--Fellsmere resident Laura Parkel, a wetlands consultant, will graduate in June from the University of Florida with a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science. Her coursework was carried out online and at a laboratory at the UF Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce.

Parkel has worked as a wetlands consultant for about 10 years; she is principle ofWetland & Pond Consulting, Inc. She delineates wetlands for homeowners and for realtors. Her clients' needs vary, but in most cases she makes recommendations about how owners may best preserve existing wetlands, which is of great benefit to the environment. Her tasks include looking at an area's vegetation, soils and hydrologic (water) indicators. In addition, she designs and creates wetlands.

"I work with prospective homeowners to identify wetlands on properties," said Parkel. "Sometimes people contact me before they buy, which is the best scenario. In this way, when they areready to build, they know where to put their house, driveways and any other amenities."

She explained that homeowners need a permit before they can clear their land for building. Before a building permit is issued, landowners are required to check the property for wetlands because buildings cannot be erected on wetlands. At this point they contact someone with Parkel's expertise.

Parkel started the UF master's degree program in January, 2004. She said the program provided her with new skills which she was able to apply to her consultant work immediately.

"I learned an applicable skill and I was able to build on the knowledge I already had," said Parkel.

In 1988, Parkel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Limnology (freshwater ecology) from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. She had been providing lakefront restoration services to clients prior to pursuing the master's degree program. And now, her services include a full range of wetland mitigation procedures.

"I am glad I learned the skills to do wetland consulting because I really enjoy it. I learned much about soils and that was missing in my past education."

Part of Parkel's graduate program at the UF Indian River Research and Education Center involved working with Chris Wilson, Ph.D., an environmental toxicologist. Wilson investigates the impacts of land management practices on water quality and surrounding aquatic resources, as well as methods for protecting and improving the quality of water draining from land areas into the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie Estuary.

"I learned a lot about running tests in a laboratory under Dr. Wilson," she said. "His research is very interesting and I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to learn what I did in the laboratory."

Parkel said the most important advantage of the University of Florida distance education program was the flexible laboratory work schedule and online coursework.

"My family is my top priority. While pursuing the University of Florida degree, I was able to take most of the classes from home on the computer. It was much easier to do with a family."

The University of Florida at IRREC has offered degree programs for seven years. Bachelor's degree programs in Agribusiness Management and in Environmental Management are available to students with an Associate in Arts degree. Master's degree programs include Agricultural Education and Communication, Entomology, Environmental Horticulture, and Environmental Science. Certificate programs include Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Education and Communication, and Entomology.

UF/IFAS/IRREC